The Washington critic., 1887-08-13

W. hn Ntltlt W. "U- CO.. t'lfh Nv JV''
Harmon tu hc fDiiiy on hi. feet again.
The liitr cniuc home late from his
work one evening.
"liow's Brady Z" he asked of bis
mother Ms he sat down tp the supper
which She Ind kept for him. Wants
10 ret cut, ch Hen b. lhcro soon
now, but ] reckon III have TO give him
the slip to night. She'd be dlsap.
pointed If didn't come round"
Yes" from the mother. But
seems 10 me bananys nd give you bet
ter worth for your money than them
there roses, John"
"She wouldn't think so, mother"
Then door went shut, and Brady,
who was half way down the stairs
when those words arrested him. turned
and went up again with his blood on
fire. So, this was the kind of faith with
him This was the man who was
more worthy of Dolly than he was.
He could hear John splashing the
water at the kitchen sink as he made
ready to go out, but Harmon had no
idea that dark figure on the other side
Of the way, when he finally reached the
street, was that of his rival. lie did
not notice how It crept after him, keep.
ing him in sight, and If there had been
any doubt at all in Brady's mind 1t was
soon ended, for they were taking the
direct route to Dolly's home.
II was q lonely way; down side streets
and alleys, and presently Steve saw n
second dark form, on Harmon's side OF
the way now, creeping stealthily nfler
him. lie remembered then that this
had been pay day aud that John most
| probably had his weeks wages In his
| pocket; but his first impulse to cry out
| and warn the other died down.
| Why should he interfere? Whal
| business was 1t of his II John should
be assaulted and robbed? Was not the
latter stealing a march on him, carry
ing roses 10 Dolly and ingratiatinp
| himself when he had promised to keer
away. He had momentnry glimpse
of an uplifted arm carrying something
which looked like short club II,
knew instantly what 1t was. lie re-
membered an item which he had reaC
the week before of an unknown mar
who had been sandbaggcd on the stree
and killed outright by single blow
He had not set this outlaw upon thl
track of John Ilarmon he had nothing
to do but to hold his peace aud 1t nigh
be his rival would be removed from his
| path forever.
1t was a wicked thought, q horrible
thought.
you hain't got to do nothing, Steve
Brady; only just keep quiet" whis
pered the tempier
But another inward voice, finer
stiller, made itself heard
"Wher'd you be now If he'd done
nothing when you hung down from
that rotten cave trough? Did he keer
quiet an let you drop out of his way
or did he venter his life to save your nj
This here's murder you're nursin' ID
your heart, Steve Brady. Are you
ready to do murder for any girl-least
wise for q girl that don't know hel
own mind well enough to choose be
tween the two of your"
All this before the murderous blow
fell. 1t takes time TO tell these thought:
of his, but they all flashed through his
mind In the space of breath. As Il
fell wild, ear splitting yell startled
the assailant and assailed alike. Johr
Harmon wheeled In his tracks, and the
blow, grazing his cheek, had force t
knock him down. He was up again or
the Instant up in time TO catch Stew
Brady as the ruilian flung him of
after the briefest struggle-for Stew,
was weak yet and no match for the
burly villain whose flight he had tried
to intercept-to catch him and break
the deadly force with which he wa
hurled head first against the wall.
That set.,o had the effect Of sending
| hoo1. 10 1T. f,al k,a Il
troubled him and he raved about roses
and sand clubs aud Dolly, until ont
day he found himself looking int
Dolly's own blue, fearful eyes.
"Oh, you poor fellow " she cried
"Oh, TO think you cared so much fol
me But how brave of you to saw,
him when YOU were sick and Jealous
and all You needn't say word, fol
John Harmon has told me everything
but The idea of you believing that l.
that l could-like him the best"
Dolly" muttercd poor Steve, hardly
knowing II he were really awake, "dC
you mean-you choose-mc2
"You and you only" murmuret
Dolly, who would have been vastly In
dignant had any one limited that homes
| John Harmon was more worthy to bt
gloriiied by that same heroic light witt
which she had invested Steve.
1t made no difference when Stew,
confessed his temptation to her after
ward. What woman will not forgiv,
a man who errs through loving her?
Those roses were never intended fol-
Dolly, after all, They were meant TO
little lame orange girl who was fas
dying Of consumption. They were tn,
one bright spot in her joyless life, ant
that was the only pay night as long a
she lived on which John Harmon failel
to take them to her.
lie is Steve's best friend, but he ha
never found another Dolly.
JENNIE DAVIS BURTON.